The Scouting Lab 2014 NFL Draft Analysis—Red Flag QB Preview

by yak max

In this edition of The Scouting Lab, I will profile Red Flag quarterbacks. These players are ones who have raised my eyebrows and I must honestly question their success in the NFL. So, let’s get started.

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

6’0″, 210 lbs

40 yd Dash: 4.45 sec

Predicted pick–#4 Cleveland Browns

Ah, here is Mr. Johnny “Football” Manziel out of Texas A&M. I was a fan of Manziel in his freshman year as he made his campaign to be the first freshman to ever win the Heisman. Then something happened…his whole demeanor seemed to change. Now, I am not going to deny the kid could play college football, but it’s his behavior “off” the field that has left me with more questions than answers. There are several incidents where the use of alcohol was involved and then there’s the curious case of him leaving the Manning Passing Academy early. Manziel claims he has matured, but I will believe it when I see it. “On” the field, his durability also comes into question. Even though he did not miss any games in his two years at College Station, he did get hurt after taking some big shots. In the NFL, those types of hits will be magnified 10 times. It is for these reasons I give Manziel a red flag. If Manziel can show that he can behave off the field, keep his health up, and prove his play in college was only the tip of the iceberg, then he will be a very successful NFL QB. If he doesn’t, then he will prove critics like me right who believe he is nothing more than a Fran Tarkenton wanna-be.

Zach Mettenburger, LSU

6’5″, 235 lbs

40 yd dash: 5.18 sec

Predicted Pick-Round 3 or 4

Ladies and gentlemen, we have another “berger”– Zach Mettenberger. Mettenberger has been a fairly solid QB for the LSU Tigers for the past two years, but there are a couple of problems that cause me to give him a Red Flag. Last year he was having an excellent season until their last regular season game against Arkansas. There, he went down with a knee injury when he was twisted up underneath a pile. That injury would turn out to be a torn ACL. This has been a huge setback for this star Tiger because this spring he has not been able to train with any NFL teams, participate in the Combine, nor his school Pro Day. Adding to this, Mettenberger has a stain on his off-the-field record. In 2010, he was arrested for sexual battery and alcohol consumption. Because of these issues he doesn’t have much of a chance of becoming a starter at this point. Mettenberger does have NFL talent because he can throw the ball deep and he is a terrific pocket passer. In the draft, teams like the Patriots, Ravens, and Falcons could use a good young 2 nd or 3 rd string QB on their team.